The Issue of Race and Drug Offenses for Federal Criminal Sentences

• In Event: Sentencing Disparities in U.S. Federal Courts

Abstract

The current study analyzes the issue of drug offenses in the federal sentencing guidelines for 2013. This study seeks to use propensity score matching to examine the issue of race on three categories of drug offenses (i.e., trafficking, communication facilities, and simple possession. Propensity score matching is used to truly analyze the effect of race on sentencing decision making. Focal concerns theory is used to provide a theoretical bases for judge's decision making.

Authors

• Anthony G. Vito, University of West Georgia

• Mai Naito, University of West Georgia

• Elizabeth Foxworth, University of West Georgia